DID - Bell Boeing Wins Big Deal For Osprey Components | DoS Approves MQ-9 Sale To France | Two T-129s Might Already Be In The Philippines

Americas

Bell Boeing won a $1.6 billion deal for the repair, replacement, required availability, configuration management, and inventory management for supply support for 228 MV-22B (Marine); CMV-22 (Navy); and CV-22 (Air Force) Osprey aircraft components. The V-22 Osprey is a family of multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical as well as short takeoff and landing capabilities. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft. Work will take place e in Texas and Pennsylvania. Estimated completion will be by December 2026.

Peraton Inc., a company that provides satellite and terrestrial communication, network optimization, and managed security services, was awarded a $18 million contract by the US Air Force to sustain engineering services support for the B-1B Reprogrammable Electronic Warfare Systems test and B-52 Bomber Electronic Attack Systems test facilities and special test equipment. The B-1B Lancer is the US Air Force long-range strategic bomber developed by Rockwell International, now Boeing Defense And Space Group. The B-52H is the US Air Force’s long-range, large-payload multirole bomber and is known as the Stratofortress. Work will take place in Eglin Air Force Base, Florida Estimated completion date is January 10, 2027.

Middle East & Africa

Morocco and Israel Aerospace Industries discussed buying the latter’s Barak-8 MR air defense missile system. IAI sent marketing director Sharon Biton to lead the negotiations, Jerusalem Post reports. The Barak-8 MR-SAM system is able to shoot down enemy aircraft at a range of 50-70 kilometers and is designed to defend naval vessels against a myriad of short-to-long-range airborne threats.

Europe

The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the France. The sale would be for the MQ-9 Follow-on Contractor Logistics Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $300 million. France had requested to buy follow-on Contractor Logistics Support to include contractor provided MQ-9 aircraft components, spares and accessories; repair and return; software and software support services; simulator software; personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical documentation; US Government and contractor provided engineering, technical and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $300 million, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a release Friday.

Asia-Pacific

Turkish Aerospace Inc. (TAI) is said to have delivered two T129 attack helicopters to the Philippines on January 8. The South East Asian country has ordered six helicopters and two more are set to arrive next year while the last two will reach home in 2024. In November, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) commander Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes disclosed that the six helicopters would be in the country as soon as December. The T129 is a twin-engine, tandem seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform and is designed for advanced attack and reconnaissance missions in hot and high environments and rough geography in both day and night conditions.

The United States and Japan will soon sign a deal on collaborating more closely in R&D of defense-related technologies, including ways to counter threats from hypersonic weapons. This was announced ahead of January 6-7 virtual US-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting between Secretary of State Blinken, Secretary of Defense Austin, Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi, and Minister of Defense Kishi. Blinken said the two countries would sign a new deal designed to counter emerging threats such as hypersonic and space-based weaponry, days after North Korea tested what it claimed to be a hypersonic missile. Some Japanese media reports said the projectile fell close to its Exclusive Economic Zone.

Today’s Video

Watch: T129 ATAK – Turkish Attack Helicopter in Action

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